The people have a right to know about the VP and her activities 

CHEERS TO several media outlets who reported Vice President Sara Duterte’s conspicuous absence and the clueless response of her office when asked about her whereabouts. 

The Supreme Court’s ruled that the impeachment of the vice president was unconstitutional on August 6.  The Senate debated the next steps to be taken on the case. At the press conference held at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on the same day, reporters pressed Atty. Ruth Castelo, OVP spokesperson, to say whether or not VP Duterte was in the Philippines. 

Castelo did not answer the question and seemed to be uncertain about the VP’s location. “Let me verify that information; we’ll get back to you on that one,” she told the press when probed about the VP’s activities. This answer fueled concerns over Duterte’s absence during such a critical period.

In defense of the VP, her officers insisted that she was still working and fulfilling her duties. Castelo said that while the Vice President may not be physically present, the work required of her was still being carried out in “virtual” or “ghost” modalities.

ABS-CBN News Online, Inquirer.net, Philstar.com, and GMA News Online reported on the VP’s absence but also discussed her international travel, most of which Duterte had described as personal. Her travels to the Hague to visit her father and former president were noted as well as her meetings with Duterte supporters abroad, who were shown calling for the older Duterte’s release from imprisonment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

The reports also cited Malacañang’s response to inquiries about her

whereabouts on August 6. Spokesperson Atty. Claire de Castro stated they

had no knowledge of where she was at the time, but said that they had received information that the VP intended to travel to Kuwait to join another rally organized by supporters of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, on August 8. Atty. Castro noted that she hadnot yet filed for travel authorization on August 6.

Media also pointed out the political significance of her absence even during key developments in the impeachment complaint against her. 

Philstar.com stands out for its extensive review of Sara Duterte’s travels, providing dates, purposes, and activities as described by the OVP from July 2024 to July 2025, when she made a total of nine trips to seven countries, including three to the Netherlands. It emphasized that the 

VP’s travels have drawn public criticism, prompting many to question how well she is fulfilling her responsibilities.

In December 2024, Rappler reported on her unexplained absence from office and raised appropriate concerns over the use of public funds to bankroll her travels abroad and related activities. 

The Office of the Vice President has been described as a “spare tire,” involving not much more than just presence; unless the president assigns the vice president a Cabinet portfolio, which involves responsibilities. 

Otherwise, the most important obligation is to be there in case of need, a service that is simple enough to fulfill. 

The news organizations have done well to inquire into and to gather as much information about Sara Duterte’s international travels. The public should recall that the VP had already demonstrated her capacity to disburse huge funds quite quickly. 

The Dutertes are a political dynasty, and the press must be ready to scrutinize the quality of Sara Duterte’s public service. The people have the right to know about her activities, including her travels abroad.